15 volunteers make a relay run

The first blind runner in China to complete the 100-kilometer "super horse"

Yan Wei (middle) competes with the accompanying runner

　　On October 18, 2020, at the "China's First 100-kilometer Challenge for All Blind Runners" held in Shanghai Daning Park, the blind runner Yan Wei from Shandong successfully completed the 100-kilometer ultramarathon in 9 hours and 40 minutes.

In the meantime, a total of 15 volunteers took a relay approach.

First in the country

The blind successfully challenged the 100km ultramarathon

　　At 6:22 pm on October 18th, Yan Wei's sports software count data stayed at 100.9 kilometers, which means that he has completed the first 100 kilometers of his life and he has also become the first 100 kilometers blind runner in China.

　　A reporter from the Beijing Youth Daily learned from Yan Wei that he liked running since he was a teenager and has participated in multiple marathons. He has always exercised and runs five to six hundred kilometers every month.

　　"I usually run faster, because the speed reserve is still very important when running a marathon, which means an improvement in ability." Yan Wei said in an interview with a reporter from the Beijing Youth Daily. This time the relay, old partners Gong Yunfeng and Lu To accompany them, they all insisted on running more than 50 kilometers.

"During the running process, there were two volunteers who had contact for the first time in the final stage of the relay. It took a while to adapt to the rhythm, but in the end they successfully completed 100 kilometers."

　　Regarding how he felt after completing the first 100-kilometer marathon, Yan Wei said that this was a rare experience, "a 100-kilometer should be regarded as a runner's milestone."

　　"Yan Wei taught me a lot of things, optimism and persistence. He lives like a child. When communicating with him, you can't think of him as a blind person." said Lu Wei, a senior volunteer of the Dark Running Group, at the Beijing Marathon in 2015. After the two met by chance, he has accompanied Yan Wei for more than ten times, and he has helped others and gained a lot.

Accompany each other

Arranged to challenge the 100km "super horse"

　　According to Cheng Yi, the founder of the Dark Running Group, Yan Wei was one of the dozen blind people who participated in the competition. Like other blind friends, he was accompanied by three runners.

Two of them are Yan Wei's long-term running volunteers, Gong Yunfeng is from Changsha, and the other volunteer Lu Wei is from Chongqing.

When the two accompany them, one is responsible for traction and guidance, and the other is responsible for protection or supply. "Volunteers stand guard every 100 meters on the way, and medical volunteers are always ready to help."

　　"Volunteers can take a break. I need to keep going. If I need energy halfway, I can just run and add some chocolate or the like." Yan Wei said.

　　A reporter from the Beijing Youth Daily learned during the interview that when he escorted Yan Wei to 70 kilometers, the escort Gong Yunfeng suddenly had a small problem with his feet and had to take a break.

According to Cheng Yi, Gong Yunfeng himself has never ran 100 kilometers or participated in a 100-kilometer super horse.

But before this race, after communicating with Yan Wei and the dark running team, Gong Yunfeng decided to "run a 100-kilometer ultramarathon together."

　　After a short break, Gong Yunfeng continued to accompany Yan Wei until he finished the super marathon in 9 hours and 40 minutes.

　　"Yan Wei completed the 100-kilometer marathon. This was what I expected, but I didn't expect it to go so smoothly." Said Cai Shiyin, one of the founders of the Dark Running Group, who admired Yan Wei's perseverance very much.

"There are more tourists in Daning Park, and running is much more difficult than normal straights. I calculated it. There were 15 volunteers relaying to help him complete this ultramarathon."

Set up a running group

Just to help blind players

　　Cai Shiyin said that she was very happy to see Yan Wei in such a good state. The first contact with Yan Wei was after a marathon event in Beijing. Yan Wei did not have a suitable run-up partner. Later, the dark running team formed an indissoluble bond with him.

"We also get a lot of motivation from Yan Wei. Every time I can't run the training, the coach asks me to think about how Yan Wei did it. Because of the limited vision, Yan Wei will perform better than ordinary people. A lot of strength training is worth learning."

　　Speaking of the original intention of the dark running group, another founder, Cheng Yi, told a reporter from the Beijing Youth Daily that after contacting blind people before, he found that many people have aspirations to exercise, but usually do not have the opportunity to participate.

Since 2016, there have been successive marathons that allow blind people to participate. Cheng Yi established a "dark running team" in Hangzhou in April of that year to accompany blind runners in marathon events.

　　According to Cheng Yi, volunteers do not have too many requirements for the physical condition of the blind, "according to the blind's own choice, arrange volunteers to accompany walking or running."

Participating in the race has gradually changed from 5 kilometers and 10 kilometers, gradually increasing the difficulty to half marathon and full marathon.

　　According to a reporter from the Beijing Youth Daily, since its establishment, the Dark Running Group has organized more than 500 events in more than 30 cities, with more than 5,000 disabled friends participating, and the total number of participants has reached more than 20,000.

　　Text/Reporter Dong Zhenjie and intern Li Tianyi

　　Coordinator/Zhang Bin